Francis I, Duke of Saxe-Lauenburg

Francis I of Saxe-Lauenburg (* 1510, † March 19, 1581 in Buxtehude ) was Duke of Saxe- Lauenburg. He was the eldest son of Magnus I, Duke of Saxe- Lauenburg - Ratzeburg and Catherine of Brunswick- Wolfenbüttel.

Life

Early in his reign was Francis I. to the fact that he did not maintain contracts that his father had shot. So he refused despite imperial command, the return of confiscated goods such as St. Peter's Church in Ratzeburg to the pin Ratzeburg. The Duke was by then well regarded by the Emperor Charles V., as he was not a party to the 1546 Smalcald League, but had campaigned troops for the Emperor. However, after the death of Ratzeburg Bishop Georg von Blumenthal, he tried in vain to elect his nine year old son Magnus Bishop, elected Christoph von der Schulenburg. Thereupon the Duke called the mercenary leader Vollrad of Mansfeld with his troops into the country. Henry of Brunswick tried in vain to hold him off. The troops plundered on May 23, 1552 the cathedral of Ratzeburg. Mansfeld remained two months and a payment of 4,000 dollars he did not burn down the cathedral. The money borrowed the canons at Nicholas Bardewik, the mayor of Lübeck, and pledged for a portion of the pin possessions.

1554 resigned Bishop Christoph von der Schulenburg, and again tried to Francis I., to elect his son Magnus as a bishop. This time he failed and the cathedral chapter decided to Christoph von Mecklenburg. On September 18, 1558 he occupied the Birgittenkloster Marie Wohlde at Mölln which had but sold to Lübeck sisters. This led to long-standing disputes between Lübeck and Saxe-Lauenburg.

As 1568 Magnus II married the Swedish Princess Sofia, the country was nearly bankrupt by the many feuds. Francis I had to pawn most of its castles and estates. The 100,000 Taler dowry could cause a part of it. On January 15, 1571, he resigned in favor of his son Francis II. But occupied in winter 1571 Magnus II Ratzeburg and Francis I signed a contract in Luneburg, Magnus II conferred the duchy. The other sons should be compensated with money. Magnus promised to pay all debts. With its brutality and denial of the debt payments but he alienated all. Francis II obtained an investigation by the emperor, collected troops and tried to arrest Magnus in Ratzeburg. But the could escape to Dannenberg.

1574 took over Francis I. again the government and after etlichem dispute Francis II went into military service in the Netherlands. But Magnus II could get more no support to take over the government because of his debts. After the death of Francis I, the brothers took over the government together. 1588 Francis II could obtain an arrest warrant against Magnus II and took over the duchy alone.

Progeny

On February 8, 1540 he married Sibylle of Saxony in Dresden, the daughter of Henry of Saxony and Katharina von Mecklenburg. From his marriage the following children are known:

  • Albrecht (1542-1544)
  • Dorothea (1543-1586)
  • Magnus II (1543-1603), Duke of Saxe- Lauenburg
  • Francis II (1547-1619), Duke of Saxe- Lauenburg
  • Heinrich (1550-1585), Archbishop of Bremen
  • Moritz (1551-1612)
  • Ursula ( 1552/3-1620 )
  • Friedrich (1554-1586), a canon in Cologne and Bremen
  • Sidonie Catherine ( † 1594 )

Illegitimate:

  • Franz Rautenstein ( † after 26 December 1618)

With Else Rautenstein

  • Catherine of Saxony (1565-1587) ∞ 1579 Johann Grotjan
Magnus I, Duke of Saxe-Lauenburg Bishopric of Ratzeburg Henry, Duke of Brunswick-Dannenberg Henry IV, Duke of Saxony Catherine of Mecklenburg Wolfgang, Duke of Brunswick-Grubenhagen Magnus II, Duke of Saxe-Lauenburg Francis II, Duke of Saxe-Lauenburg Henry of Saxe-Lauenburg Wenceslaus III Adam, Duke of Cieszyn Integrated Authority File
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